Scientists Explain Why We Love Horror Movies

The thrill of a horror movie can create euphoria, and a little jolt can promote long-term mental stability.

Dr. Charlotte Lawrenson, neuroscientist at the University of Bristol statedthat scientists still do not know exactly where in the brain the feeling of fear arises. Most likely, a coordinated network that affects several areas of the brain is responsible for it. It is also known that a real threat initiates a reaction of the whole body to the danger.

Fear is an ancient emotion and creepy tales are well known to all cultures on the planet. They told the children about the dangers they might face.

Horror films are the epitome of contemporary collective fears. For example, Godzilla in 1954 became a symbol of general anxiety about atomic weapons. “Westworld” or “Terminator” shows robots that have rebelled against their masters. During the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, the film Contagion was extremely popular.

Professor Mark Malmdorf-Andersen and his colleagues believe that horror films have educational potential for managing uncertainty.

“The time spent in these fictional worlds can be seen as an opportunity to write your own instructions for the worst scenarios,” he said.

The professor noted that the scenes he had seen could be used in new frightening conditions. He conceded that recreational forms of fear could improve emotional response and reduce the fear of overcoming.

Malmdorf-Andersen thinks it makes sense if seen as a “form of play”. Then a person can learn to cope with unfamiliar situations and make the unpredictable manageable.

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